A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 23 



glanced off stunned, and, slightly injured, descended 

 with a curious zigzag flight which sometimes carried 

 them some little distance ere they were lost amid the 

 waves. The Rook cut the sorriest figure of all the 

 migrants seeking the light. He too tried to obtain 

 foothold on the frame of the lantern, whereon to sit amid 

 the blaze of light, but failed, and flapped and struggled 

 against the windows in a singularly clumsy fashion. 

 Finally, to complete the scene, there was the singular 

 effect produced by its central feature — namely, the great 

 lantern, which, placed high up on the mast, swung 

 slowly to and fro amid the glittering hosts that danced 

 attendance upon its mystic charms. 



On occasions when the rays were not particularly 

 conspicuous the migrants flew aimlessly around, passing 

 from ray to ray, sometimes for many hours. It is 

 extraordinary how long some birds will fly round a light 

 without resting. As a good example may be mentioned 

 the case of a Kestrel which appeared at 8 p.m. on i8th 

 September, and careered around without a break or rest 

 of any kind until 1.30 a.m. on the 19th. This bird often 

 came close up to the light, but checked itself by spread- 

 ing its tail ; and it also frequently flew to windward, and 

 then dashed back over the lantern at a tremendous pace. 

 It paid no attention to the few birds which were some- 

 times present during its prolonged visit. 



When the wind was somewhat high, the birds 

 resorted almost entirely to the lee side of the ship, and 

 approached the lantern head to wind. 



Although some of the night movements witnessed 

 were of considerable magnitude and remarkably pro- 

 longed, yet the migrants, on the whole, were singularly 

 silent — indeed, disappointingly so, for thus a useful aid 



